LOOKING BACK

THIS MONTH IN CORONADO HISTORY

Nov. 6, 1915

F.C. Winchester sold the handsome A.P. Stephens residence at the corner of Seventh Street and A Avenue to Dr. M.O. Terry, a New York state ex-surgeon general from Mamaroneck, New York. The home was sold for $30,000 in cash.

Nov. 6, 1947

The U.S. government gave approval to lease Naval Amphibious Base land from the city of Coronado for $28,500 a year. Because World War II was over, the city believed it was entitled to collect a reasonable amount for the land, which had been rented by the Navy for $1 a year. The federal government eventually purchased the acreage when it became evident that the base would be a permanent fixture.

Nov. 7, 1931

The USS Saratoga carefully came into San Diego Bay and carefully anchored. Aircraft carriers were usually anchored off the coast in an area west of the Silver Strand called Coronado Roads because they could not always safely navigate the shallow channel and bay.

Nov. 8, 1917

Lt. Earl Spencer reported for duty at North Island Naval Air Station as the first commanding officer. This date is considered the base’s official first day since there was no opening ceremony. Spencer was married to Wallis Spencer, known for her later marriage to the Prince of Wales. The Spencers temporarily lived at the Hotel del Coronado and then in homes on Alameda Boulevard and Flora Avenue, while the lieutenant worked with few resources to build a naval air station from scratch. By the time he left his command two years later, he had overseen the construction of multiple hangars and established a flight-training program.

Nov. 8, 1927

A huge, tri-motored Fokker monoplane arrived at North Island from the Fokker plant at Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Equipped for use as a bomber, troop transport, cargo plane or an aerial ambulance, the plane was dissembled for shipment to Nicaragua by naval transport. The big monoplane was one of the largest planes used by the Marine Corps.

Nov. 15, 1960

Coronado City Council members voted to accept Sunset Park, a 2-acre area formerly known as “Parcel 2” at the end of Ocean Boulevard next to the North Island fence. Development of Sunset Park (a name suggested by Councilman Donald Spicer) followed complaints from residents in the Country Club Estates, calling it a barren “dust bowl.” Sand blowing from the parcel, as well as from North

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / DETROIT PUBLISHING CO. COLLECTION

LESLIE CRAWFORD COLLECTION

The Silver Strand Highway, San Diego Bay and the Naval Amphibious Base are shown in this 1941 aerial photograph.

Beach and North Island, formed dunes on neighboring lawns.

Nov. 18, 1941

The California Highway Department reported that all paperwork had been filed with the Union Title Co., finalizing the purchase of Tent City land from the Spreckels Co. The acquisition allowed for the completion of Silver Strand Highway (now state Route 75) all the way to Coronado.

Nov. 22, 1927

A bathing suit ordinance was adopted prohibiting any person over 12 years old from entering any place of business clad in a bathing suit unless it was covered by another garment reaching from the neck to the knees.

Nov. 29, 1924

The USS Langley (CV-1), the Navy’s first aircraft carrier, arrived at North Island, berthing at Naval Air Station San Diego. Crudely built by today’s standards, the Langley was converted from the collier cargo ship USS Jupiter 3. Within one year of its arrival, the first squadron completed training and the first carrier night landing was accomplished. ■